The Cái Bè dam in Kiên Giang province is operated to prevent saltwater intrusion and provide fresh water for farming, production and livelihood. — VNA/VNS Photo

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has issued a directive, calling on ministries and local authorities to take decisive measures to prevent and mitigate the impacts of drought, water shortages, and salinity intrusion as Việt Nam prepares for the dry season.

The directive highlights pressing concerns as water levels in reservoirs across the Central and Central Highlands regions remain below normal thresholds. 

Early 2025 is forecast to bring localised droughts and water shortages, particularly in the south-central  coast and Central Highlands.

In the Mekong Delta, severe salinity intrusion along river mouths is expected, posing significant risks to daily life, agriculture, and business activities.

To address these challenges, the directive tasks local authorities with assessing water resources and developing strategic plans to ensure sufficient water supplies, particularly during peak periods of heat and drought. 

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is asked to monitor weather and hydrology, provide timely forecasts, gather data on transboundary water flows, and manage reservoirs to balance residential, agricultural, and energy needs.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will focus on adjusting agricultural production schedules to minimise the impacts of water shortages. It will also collaborate with relevant agencies to manage irrigation systems and reservoirs efficiently, ensuring optimal water use for farming and other needs.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has been tasked with securing electricity supplies for both residential and business sectors, particularly by optimising hydroelectric power generation in alignment with water conservation plans.

Local authorities in the Mekong Delta, South-Central Coast, and Central Highlands must monitor weather closely, implement responses, and promote water conservation among residents.

The directive highlights interagency cooperation, with ministries supporting local efforts and the Government Office ensuring implementation. 

Mekong Delta to proactively prepare for reduced fresh water flows

Việt Nam’s Mekong River Commission (MRC) has recommended that local areas along the delta closely monitor the changes in water sources as the dry season begins.

They must proactively prepare to respond and regulate fresh water for agricultural production.

The MRC on Tuesday said that high tides are forecast until the end of 2024, which may result in flooding in low-lying areas in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta.

Data from the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF) the international MRC, and other global organisations, show that the total rainfall in the Mekong River basin this December is expected to be similar to the long-term yearly average.

Upstream areas are expected to see a decrease, while the delta region is likely to witness an increase.

Reservoirs on the Lancang River are reaching about 93 per cent of their total capacity, while reservoirs in the downstream basin are at about 85 per cent. Their capacity to generate electricity remains stable.

The flow to Kratie (Cambodia) will gradually decrease as the basin enters the dry season, and it is forecast to be between 11 billion and 13 billion cubic metres.

The Tonlé Sap in Cambodia is holding about 26.3 billion cubic metres of water, which contributes to the main flow of the Mekong River.

Việt Nam’s MRC forecast that the maximum daily water level at the Tân Châu Station (in Việt Nam’s Tây Ninh Province) this month will fluctuate with the tides, running from 1.5 to 1.9 metres.

The total water flow through this station is forecast to be between 23.6 billion and 25.1 billion cubic metres, much lower than the long-term average and the same period last year.

At Châu Đốc Station (An Giang Province), the maximum daily water level is estimated to be between 1.6 and two metres. The total water flow through this station is expected to range between 4.5 billion and 4.7 billion cubic metres, higher than during the same period in 2023.

Based on these forecasts, Việt Nam’s MRC recommends that areas in the delta region closely monitor the water flows and proactively deploy irrigation plans in preparation for the winter to spring crop production.

The NCHMF also noted that from now until January 2025, the total flow on the Mekong River to Việt Nam’s Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta will slowly decrease.

The country’s southeastern coast can expect six tidal surges between December 2024 and March 2025. 

Teenaged Vietnamese swimmers set to compete at world short course championship

Teenagers Nguyễn Thúy Hiền and Nguyễn Quang Thuấn will represent Việt Nam at the 2024 World Aquatics Swimming World Championships in Hungary.

The action will take place from December 10 to 15 in the short course pool at Budapest's Duna Arena, marking the first time Hungary is hosting the event in a 25m pool.

The Vietnamese swimmers just competed at the Southeast Asian Age Groups Swimming Championships in Thailand.

Hiền was the best swimmer in the girls' 14-15 years old category after taking four golds, one silver and two bronzes.

Notably, she set a new record in the 50m butterfly event with a time of 27.73 seconds, beating the former record of 27.84 seconds set by En Qi Hoong of Singapore 10 years ago.

Meanwhile, Thuấn did well in the boys' 16-18 years old category, earning two golds, two silvers and one bronze. 

Hiền, who won bronze at the 32nd SEA Games 100m freestyle, has never taken part in a global championship before.

On the other hand, Thuấn, the SEA Games' 400m IM silver medal winner, was at the world championships in 2022 and 2023, although he is swimming in the short course competition for the first time.

According to the coaching board, more senior Vietnamese swimmers were not strong enough in the short course event to attend the championship. The two young swimmers have been selected with the aim of gaining experience competing against the world's top athletes. 

They are expected to achieve their personal best at the Hungarian event.

In Budapest, they will face the world's strongest swimmers, including global and Olympic champions like Carson Foster and Michael Andrew, who led a strong US team in the medley events. They will also go up against 100m fly long course world record holder Gretchen Walsh, 200m back Olympic champion and 200m breast short course world record holder Kate Douglass, and breaststroke world record holder Lilly King.

Another to watch out for is eight-time Olympic medallist Regan Smith in the 100m and 200m back, Olympic silver medallist Katie Grimes, Olympian Kylie Masse, who took bronze in the 200m backstroke, and 2016 100m free Olympic champion Penny Oleksiak.

In the previous championship in 2022, the US team led the medal table with 17 golds and 36 total medals.

Meanwhile, in regional swimming news, the Vietnamese team wrapped up the age group championship in second place on December 8 in Bangkok.

On the last day, the team earned nine gold medals.

Among the champions were Mai Trần Tuấn Anh (boys' 16-18 years old 1,500m free), Dương Văn Hoàng Quy (boys' 14-15 years old 1,500m free), Nguyễn Ngọc Thủy Tiên (girls' 16-18 years old 50m back), Lê Thị Thùy Trang (girls' 16-18 years old 200m butterfly), Trương Thanh Trúc (girls' U13 200m butterfly) and the boys' 4x200m freestyle.

Quy was voted the best athlete of the tournament after winning eight gold medals.

The team grabbed 27 golds, standing just behind the host side, which won an outstanding 43 gold medals. Indonesia came third with 23 golds.

The championships also included diving competitions, which saw Việt Nam come in second place with five golds, an unexpected result as the team were aiming to earn silvers.

Singapore came first with 10 golds and Malaysia took third place with four.

Miss Culture International Friendship 2025 contest comes to the final stage

The final stages of the Miss Culture International Friendship 2025 contest will take place next month in Japan, according to organisers.

The beauty pageant was officially launched as the highlight of an annual programme, themed Xuân Quê Hương (Homeland Spring) by the the Consulate General of Việt Nam in Japan in coordination with the Association of Vietnamese People in Japan.

Xuân Quê Hương is a cultural activity for overseas Vietnamese held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs at Tết (Lunar New Year).

The event will take place from January 4 to 5 in Saitama Prefecture and in Fukuoka from January 10 to 12.

There will be several booths displaying handicraft items and products to help introduce Vietnamese culture and tourism to international friends. Many Vietnamese artists will also participate in the event.

Vietnamese women who are working and living in Japan and other countries or territories worldwide are eligible to enter the beauty contest.

The top 26 finalists were announced at a launching ceremony on December 4. They will compete in several stages, such as evening gowns and a talent show, as well as taking part in charity projects for the community and a Q&A section.

Prizes of up to VNĐ3 billion (roughly US$118,000) will be awarded, with the winner receiving a crown and a cash prize totalling VNĐ100 million. The winning beauty queen will take part in three charity projects across three regions: Asia, Europe and Australia.

Thus far the contest is a little over halfway finished, with many practical activities in earlier rounds for contestants, who said it was a solid premise for them to be able to compete in the finals.

Pageant judges include famous and experienced beauty queens and MCs like Miss Phương Khánh, Runner-up Mai Ngô, Creative Director Nam Trung, MC/Actor Tuấn Tú and Designer Cao Minh Tiến.

With a great mission of promoting communication, connection and above all, honouring women's beauty, the event has received international support and attracted public attention as well as the participation of gorgeous contestants.

Along with the competitive programme, the contest offers valuable experience for candidates through a series of cultural and tourism activities such as workshops, travelling, talent shows and fashion modelling in Hà Nội.

The Miss International Cultural Friendship 2025 crown and tiaras for the four runners-up were crafted by THD - Crown & Jewelry.

The designs were inspired by lotus flowers and patterns in Vietnamese culture. In addition to their aesthetic creativity, the crowns and tiaras were also meticulously crafted to create harmony in both appearance and materials.

Miss International Cultural Friendship 2025 has become a large beauty contest for Vietnamese women living, studying and working in Japan.

It is regarded as a practical activity, honouring the image of 'Vietnamese women living beautifully and usefully', as well as the campaign 'Vietnamese women for social security and community' launched by the Vietnamese Association in Fukuoka. It also helps strengthen solidarity, promoting the development of good relations between Việt Nam and Japan, according to organisers. 

Polish book corner introduced at Đà Nẵng University

The central city’s University of Science and Education, under the Đà Nẵng University, in co-operation with the Polish Embassy in Việt Nam, has introduced the ‘Polish Book Corner’. The initiative aims to boost exchanges between Poland and Đà Nẵng, as well as central Việt Nam, in the spheres of education, cultural exchanges and science.

The corner in Đà Nẵng was launched following a donation of a 514-book collection from the Polish Embassy in Việt Nam and is the latest in the literacy project, first started in Hà Nội, HCM City, Vinh and Hải Phòng.

Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland, Piotr Frieske, expressed his honour on the development of friendship ties between Việt Nam and Poland.

The diplomat expressed delight at Poland’s culture and literature being learned by Vietnamese people and students from the University, hoping that these books will encourage them to know more about Poland, as well as promoting an overall love of reading.

“I hope and believe that by popularising books of Polish authors in Việt Nam, including multiple Nobel Prize winners, we will inspire Vietnamese students to learn more about Polish literature, Poland in general and may even inspire some to consider studying or starting careers in Poland,” the consul said.

The representative of the Polish Embassy also gave awards to 18 students for winning entries to the Polish Book Review events and 120 gifts and souvenirs to the University.

Early in 2024, Poland officially introduced its honorary consul office in the central city, which will provide diplomacy services to nine central coastal provinces and cities of Hà Tĩnh, Quảng Bình, Quảng Trị, Thừa Thiên Huế, Quảng Nam, Quảng Ngãi, Bình Định, Phú Yên and Đà Nẵng.

Over many decades, Poland helped Việt Nam in relic restoration in Thừa Thiên Huế, Hội An and Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary.

Polish archaeologist and architect Kazimierz Kwiatkowski, known as ‘Kazik’ (1944-1997) made significant contributions to the preservation and restoration of the world heritage sites of the Complex of Huế Monuments, Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary and Hội An Ancient Town in Quảng Nam Province.

At the time of publication 145 Polish people have registered for temporary residential status in Đà Nẵng City. 

Rewards for impressive press moments

Photos capturing the emotional scenes at the funeral of General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng (1944-2024), taken by journalists from Nông Thôn Ngày Nay (Countryside Today) newspaper and its website danviet.vn, have won the Special Prize at the Press Moments Awards 2024.

The prize was awarded at a ceremony held on December 6 by Nhà Báo và Công Luận (Journalists and Public Opinion) newspaper and directed by the Việt Nam Journalists' Association.

In the category of Social Life, the Gold Prize was awarded to the work 'Rushing' at the 500kV Line 3 Construction Site by journalist Huy Hùng from the Economic - Cultural - Social Photography Department, Photo Editorial Board of the Vietnam News Agency (VNA).

The Gold Prize in the News category was awarded to the work Stealth Commandos, Overcoming Spike Pits on the Training Ground by Hoàng Giang Huy from vnexpress.net.

Golden Moments of Vietnamese Sports at SEA Games 32 by Nguyễn Tiến Anh Tuấn and Nguyễn Mạnh Quân from Dân Trí e-newspaper also won golds in the Sports category.

Besides the gold prize, VNA had another two works that made it into the top ten and five works that reached the top 50 in this year’s awards.

The two works that were named in the top ten are The Preserver and Teacher of Nôm Script - Dao Culture in Hòa Bình by journalist Lưu Trọng Đạt from the VNA Bureau in Hòa Bình Province and Hà Nội Rushing to Manage Flooding Along the Red River by journalist An Thành Đạt from Dân Tộc và Miền Núi (Ethnic and Mountainous Regions) newspaper.

Editor-in-Chief of Nhà Báo và Công Luận (Journalists and Public Opinion) newspaper, Lê Trần Nguyên Huy, said this year’s contest received enthusiastic participation from numerous reporters and journalists from central and local media agencies across the country, with nearly 400 works submitted, double the number from 2023.

He noted that this year’s entries were of stronger quality and the themes more diverse, with most reflecting significant and important events in the country.

“This shows that journalists have closely followed these events, not shying away from difficulties to capture outstanding moments across various working environments,” he said.

“Above all, the submitted works clearly demonstrate a strong sense of responsibility, resilience, creativity, seriousness and mastery of techniques, especially the commitment and proactive spirit, as well as the humanistic perspective of photojournalists. This is also what the Press Moments photo contest continually strives for,” Huy added.

Lê Quốc Minh, Editor-in-Chief of the Nhân Dân (People) newspaper, Deputy Head of the Central Commission for Propaganda and Education and President of the Việt Nam Journalists' Association, praised the seriousness and efforts of the organisers in continuously innovating and enhancing the quality of the awards, as well as maintaining a prize structure of significant value.

He hoped that all colleagues, including photojournalists, would continue to innovate and create with a spirit of commitment and dedication.

“Through their writing and photography, they can spread positive energy in society, nurture the public's trust in the leadership of the Party, reinforce faith in the noble qualities and beautiful traditions of the nation, as well as the bright future we are striving towards,” he said. 

Cultural industry among top nominations for top cultural, sports and tourism events

"Breakthrough cultural industry with programmes of great reputation, attraction and social effect" is one of 15 typical events of the culture, sports and tourism industry in 2024.

That is the information given by Nguyễn Anh Vũ, Editor-in-Chief of Văn hóa (Culture) newspaper cum head of the committee for selecting 10 typical cultural, sports and tourism events at a press conference on December 6.

According to the committee, the year 2024 is recording many positive signals in the development of Việt Nam's cultural industry.

Especially, the Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2024, the concerts and TV shows titled “Anh Trai Vượt Ngàn Trông Gai” (Call Me By Fire Vietnam) and “Anh Trai Say Hi” (Say Hi Never Say Goodbye) have created positive effects, contributing to promoting the development of the cultural industry.

The later two television shows have created a bright spot for the performing arts industry – one of Việt Nam's 12 key cultural industry sectors.

“In the context of many fluctuations in the country and the world, the Culture, Sports and Tourism industry has made many efforts, achieved positive results, and contributed to the country's socio-economic development,” Vũ said.

The committee received 78 nominations from 36 concerned agencies, from which 15 finalists were chosen.

Voting activities were organised in two forms: direct voting on December 6 and online voting at www.baovanhoa.vn; Tổ Quốc electronic newspaper (www.toquoc.vn) and Information Portal of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (www.bvhttdl.gov.vn).

Online voting time lasts till 5pm December 9, 2024.

The list of 10 typical cultural, sports and tourism events in 2024 will be announced by the committee after synthesising the voting results from the above two forms. 

Áo dài Festival 2024 opens in Đà Lạt to promote traditional cultural identity

A series of cultural activities have been organised for the Áo Dài Festival 2024 in Đà Lạt City, the Central Highlands province of Lâm Đồng.

The event themed Hoa Và Em (Flowers and You), is part of the 10th edition of the Đà Lạt Flower Festival from December 5 to 31.

Its opening ceremony on December 1 attracted 1,200 women in áo dài (Vietnamese traditional dress) who joined a parade along the main streets of downtown Đà Lạt, showcasing the beauty of the clothes of Vietnamese women.

Participants, including beauty pageant winners, celebrities and fashion models, wore áo dài made of different designs, patterns and materials.

Another highlight event will be a special fashion show at Hoà Bình Theatre on December 21.

The show will include three collections featuring women in Vietnamese traditional clothes. Southern culture and lifestyles will be captured through the designs.

More than 150 fashion models and students from colleges and universities in the region will be on the catwalk in the event called Tự Hào-Giao Thoa-Cảm Xúc (Pride-Interference-Emotion).

The models will introduce new áo dài collections featuring diverse styles and materials, and promote the charm and elegant beauty of the clothes.

Đà Lạt Women’s Association chairperson Phan Thị Xuân Thảo, head of the festival’s organising board, said áo dài has aesthetic, historic and cultural value.

"Áo Dài Festival 2024 in Đà Lạt promotes traditional cultural identity and the image of Vietnamese women,” she said.

This year, Đà Lạt Flower Festival has ten main events, including Áo Dài Festival 2024, bringing diverse activities to residents and visitors.

Floral displays are seen everywhere around Xuân Hương Lake and on the central roads of the city.

The organisers hope the festival will attract more than 1 million visitors.

Đà Lạt is among Việt Nam’s largest flower-growing regions, producing around three billion of cut flowers annually.

Last year, it was named in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network for its commitment to promoting culture and creativity as part of its development.

Thanh Hóa launches trekking tours to attract more visitors, develop local tourism

hanh Hóa has launched 12 trekking tours in its mountainous districts with a view to pulling in more tourists to the province.

The tours will be held mainly in three districts of Bá Thước, Quan Hóa and Thường Xuân.

Trekkers can discover 1,700m Pù Luông Mount in Bá Thước, 1,440m Pù Hu Mount in Quan Hóa and 1,600m Pù Gió Mount in Thường Xuân.

Other notable tours are the Pù Luông heritage road that link Bá Thước and Quan Hóa inter-district route, Pù Hu Mount to Chò (Parashorea chinensis), a route to see grey langurs, black and white gibbons, a visit to the Pơ Mu (Fokienia hodginsii) heritage tree and Lũng Nhai Oath Ceremony historic site.

Apart from these routes, the department will also provide other tours which will be designed in response to tourists' demands and interest.

Speaking at the launch ceremony on December 7, Deputy Chairman of Thanh Hóa People's Committee Nguyễn Văn Thi requested the department and all districts to continue to proactively organise additional surveys and design more trekking tours and activities in the mountainous areas.

He said it was necessary to increase the level of experience, adventure and depth of the tours, while ensuring absolute safety for visitors.

The related authorities and agencies also needed to strengthen advertising, promotion and connect with each other to link different tours and routes that would bring tourists to mountainous districts.

He asked to have additional training programmes to provide necessary skills for tour guides, especially in terms of first aid and survival skills which should be mandatory for those who are in charge of adventure and trekking tours.

In particular, it was necessary to focus on the management, monitoring and protection of forest resources and forest fire prevention and fighting.

Localities must urgently review and add more signs guides, rules and regulations in the forest, especially on trekking routes, conveying the universal principle of Thanh Hóa tourism: "Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints".

The western mountainous districts of Thanh Hóa have extremely rich and diverse natural tourism resources with beautiful landscapes. Many clear streams and majestic waterfalls are hidden among nature reserves, which according to experts are very suitable for forming either short and easy-going experience routes or long and challenging tours. 

These areas are also home to different ethnic minority people with unique cultural features like Thái, Mường, Mông, Dao, Thổ and Khơ Mú groups.

Together with the success of recent Pù Luông trekking tournaments and the effects of community tourism, Thanh Hóa leaders and officials believed in the development of the trekking tour programme. 

Bình Dương Culture - Cuisine - Tourism Week 2024 to feature 60 booths

The upcoming Culture-Cuisine-Tourism Week 2024 in Bình Dương on December 19 is set to to create a vibrant cultural and festive space in the Province.

The Bình Dương Culture-Cuisine-Tourism Week is organised by the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism in collaboration with the Department of Industry and Trade, the People's Committee [municipal administration] of Thủ Dầu Một City, and related agencies.

The tourism week will promote the image of the province, along with its tourism services, and key industrial and agricultural products to serve local residents and tourists.

Additionally, it provides opportunities for organisations and individuals in the food, industrial, agricultural, and tourism service sectors to meet, interact, showcase speciality products and dishes, and promote their brands to both local and outside visitors.

The event is slated from December 19 to 22 at Thủ Dầu Một Park, with 50 food booths and 10 booths for traditional crafts, and industrial and farming products.

Main activities of the tourism week will take place around food booths displaying, demonstrating, preparing, and selling dishes and beverages; booths introducing and selling traditional handicrafts, and speciality farm produce; as well as culinary demonstration programmes.

The organising committee said it will ensure public order and security, traffic regulation, food safety, media coverage, and organising supplementary cultural and artistic activities to create a lively atmosphere during the event.

Jenny Bảo Ngọc awarded Asia Outstanding Young Celebrity Host, Singer

Eleven year old Jenny Bảo Ngọc has received the Asia Outstanding Young Celebrity Host & Singer award for her remarkable activities through the year.

It is the second year in a row that she took the award, presented by Royal Crate Events and Management Group, along with the ER Creatives Group. The awards honour the nation builders of Asia in different fields such as showbiz and entertainment, business, arts and culture.

It is also for individuals and companies that promote business activities, provide quality products or services aimed at consumer benefits and satisfaction, as well as consumer protection. 

“The award resulted from my great efforts and being hard working. I am very honoured and proud to receive this award," said Jenny Bảo Ngọc.

Born as Phan Bảo Ngọc, the 11-year-old is a famous junior bilingual MC, singer, actress and model.

In 2024, she took part in numerous domestic and international events, including Hà Nội's English Talent Contest for Children, Miss Eco Tourism Global which was in Thailand, the Asia Arts Festival, the Việt Nam Kids Talent Show and a Việt Nam English Talent Competition.

She was the youngest 'parliamentarian' at the Children's National Assembly mock session.

Currently, Jenny Bảo Ngọc, who was appointed Ambassador of Global Eco Tourism Beauty Peagant, is TV host of the Việt Nam Television's VTV5 channel and singer of different children music shows featured on VTV3, VTV5 and VOV3.

She claimed the Young Leader Award at the World Diplomatic Forum, the Most Outstanding MC at the Việt Nam Kids Talent Competition and the Outstanding Prize of the Việt Nam Youth Melody in 2023. 

She was the 2023 Children's Face of the Year by the Việt Nam Children's Magazine.

Notably, she won the crown of the Miss Tourism Queen Worldwide Junior Ambassador 2023.

Jenny Bảo Ngọc also proved her singing talent when she earned third prize in a national Children’s Melody contest and a first prize in a singing competition for Hà Nội children, both in 2022.

In same year, she secured second place of the Model Kid Việt Nam.

As a student of the Newton Secondary & High School, Jenny has also won many different prizes in academic studies including a bronze in mathematics at the Asian Science and Mathematics Olympiad 2024.

"I first began working as a MC when I was five, at events in schools and around where I lived. I gained experience and learned from senior MCs to improve my ability," she said.

"For this year, I have taken charge of major and bilingual events such as the Miss Eco Tourism Global and in this awarding event I am a MC - singer and host. I feel very honoured to stand on such big stages."

Food safety must begin with consumers

Việt Nam has faced many food safety issues, such as food containing toxic chemicals, microbial contamination and misinformation about food origins, said Dr Phạm Đức Phúc, director of the Institute for Environmental Health and Sustainable Development.

“To effectively communicate risks, transparency must be ensured. Messages should resonate with and show empathy towards the target audience, information should be delivered promptly and scientific evidence should support the messages,” Phúc told a training workshop on 'Enhancing Communication on Food Safety: Connecting Researchers, Journalists, and Communities in the Animal-Based Food Value Chain' on Thursday in Hà Nội.

It is also essential to recognise the role of traditional production chains for animal-based food products, especially pork, and to develop appropriate interventions and communication strategies to ensure food safety in these chains, he said.

Encouraging community participation is also crucial in building social trust. It is also important to address uncertain or controversial issues and handle negative information tactfully, he added.

The workshop also included a panel discussion on 'Innovative Approaches in Food Safety Communication', which clarified the connections between risks, scientific information and communication while proposing more specific and effective solutions for communicating risks regarding food safety.

Currently, consumers’ awareness of food safety has significantly improved, which has driven Việt Nam’s policymaking mechanisms to become more robust, in turn forcing businesses to meet higher food safety standards.

From a management perspective, Nguyễn Bá Trình, deputy head of Hà Nội’s Đông Anh Market Management Board, said that, aside from disseminating food safety policies and regulations to vendors, the management board collaborates with relevant authorities to collect and analyse product samples.

The results are shared through market activity bulletins and with vendors to enhance awareness and improve food safety standards at traditional markets, he said.

Hà Thúy Hạnh, deputy director of the Association of Farms and Agricultural Enterprises, said that food safety is now a top priority for businesses as it directly affects their profits and sales.

In addition to ensuring input quality, businesses demonstrate their compliance through certifications such as ISO 22000:2018, Hạnh said.

Export companies must also meet the specific standards of importing countries, such as Halal certification and animal welfare requirements. Companies are adopting tools like blockchain and QR codes for product traceability to manage their supply chains effectively, she said.

However, certifications are valid for a limited period, and obtaining them involves costs. Some businesses, lacking sustainable markets, secure certifications initially but fail to renew them later.

"Food safety is a fundamental societal need. When consumers change their perceptions, producers and businesses must adapt," Hạnh said.

She stressed the importance of creating effective communication strategies with key highlights to attract readers' attention.

Regarding the criteria for effective, transparent and beneficial communication on food safety, Dr Lưu Quỳnh Hương from the Laboratory for Genetic Resource Conservation (Veterinary Institute) pointed out that information agencies play a key role in conveying scientific research findings to the public.

However, scientific research must be communicated accurately, selectively and in simple, understandable terms.

“For example, regarding food poisoning caused by Salmonella bacteria, studies over many years have shown that contamination rates remain consistently high, ranging from 30 to 80 per cent in meat samples collected from markets,” Hương said.

“Nevertheless, Salmonella includes over 2,600 different strains, not all of which cause food poisoning,” she said.

Therefore, not all foods testing positive for Salmonella are hazardous. Communication agencies must ensure their reports avoid causing unnecessary public concern, she said.

Journalist Dương Đình Tường from Nông nghiệp Việt Nam Newspaper, said: "Changing consumer attitudes will lead to changes in producer behaviour. Consumers' leniency leads to producers' leniency. If we continue to buy cheap and attractive products without concern for their origin, we are supporting unsafe food production."

According to the journalist, in communicating about food safety, it is important to make complex issues simple, use relatable examples for consumers and leverage diverse media platforms to deliver messages effectively.

In the food value chain, food safety has emerged as a pressing issue that requires cross-sectoral collaboration and decisive efforts from researchers, regulatory agencies and especially the media, he said.

Through this workshop, a core network of journalists will be established to raise public awareness about food safety. 

Sustainable farming practices drive positive change in Đồng Tháp agriculture

More than 95 per cent of agricultural input retailers in Đồng Tháp Province now actively advise farmers on potential risks associated with pesticide use, according to Huỳnh Tấn Đạt, director of the Plant Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Speaking at a review conference held in Cao Lãnh City, Đạt outlined the achievements of the safe, effective, and responsible pesticide use programme, a collaborative initiative launched in 2021 and running through to 2026.

The programme is a partnership between the Plant Protection Department, Đồng Tháp Province's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and CropLife Việt Nam.

Đạt stressed the department’s efforts to work alongside local authorities and industry partners in disseminating legal regulations and best practices for pesticide use.

"The implementation of this programme demonstrates our long-term commitment to sustainable agricultural development," he said.

Positive engagement from farmers has been a highlight of the programme’s first three years. Training sessions have helped improve awareness and foster safer farming practices, reinforcing the importance of public-private partnerships in improving agricultural sustainability.

By the end of 2024, the programme had trained over 3,700 farmers, nearly 1,000 agricultural retailers, and 100 technical officers, while distributing 3,700 sets of protective gear, according to Lê Văn Chấn, deputy director of Đồng Tháp's sub-department of crop production and plant protection.

It also established six demonstration models of responsible pesticide use across 350 hectares, involving over 600 households and focusing on crops like rice, flowers, durian, chilli, mango, and citrus fruits.

Between 2022 and 2023, the programme collected over 21 tonnes of used pesticide packaging while also distributing educational materials, broadcasting instructional videos, and installing informational panels in key farming areas.

In 2024, the programme’s impact assessment showed significant progress, with farmers’ knowledge of pesticide use rising by 6 to 34 per cent, depending on the topic, and reliance on habits or experience when purchasing pesticides dropping by 21.7 per cent.

However, challenges persist, including the inconvenience of using protective gear and insufficient collection points for used packaging.

Participants suggested practical training on drones and biological pesticides, improved visual materials, and more interactive discussions with experts and retailers.

Huỳnh Tất Đạt, deputy director of Đồng Tháp Province’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that adopting sustainable farming methods not only brings economic, health, and environmental benefits but also enhances the branding and value of local agricultural products.

"We look forward to ongoing support from all parties to implement more policies that increase farmers’ incomes and achieve the province’s agricultural development targets," he said.

Chairman of CropLife Việt Nam, Đặng Văn Bảo, underscored the role of member companies in integrating training with product introduction.

He expressed hope that the programme’s success in Đồng Tháp would inspire similar initiatives across the country, fostering a modern and sustainable agricultural sector.

The conference also featured a farmers' competition on responsible pesticide use as well as a signing ceremony for the programme’s 2025-26 cooperation framework. 

Economic perspective on tobacco and public health at the recent VEAM Conference

Dozens of economists, researchers, experts and policymakers shared profound exchanges on economic, health and sustainable development issues at the recent Vietnam Economists Annual Meeting (VEAM) in the southern province of Bình Dương between December 4 and 6.

The conference is jointly organised by six universities: Foreign Trade University, University of Economics - University of Đà Nẵng, University of Economics Hồ Chí Minh City, Huế University, Thái Nguyên University, and University of Economics and Law.

A highlight of the event, the presentation session "Tax for Health" attracted attention by providing an in-depth perspective on the economic and health impacts of tobacco and sugary drinks in Việt Nam.

This presentation includes four research papers, focusing on the impact of tobacco spending on household welfare, the economic burden of smoking, cigarette purchasing power when taxes increase, and projections.

Each presentation provides key findings and specific recommendations, creating a foundation for more effective policy solutions.

One of the outstanding contents is a research article by a team from the Vietnam Centre for Economic and Strategic Research, analysing the relationship between tobacco spending and household welfare.

The multidimensional household welfare index includes 25 variables divided into four aspects (assets, housing, education and health).

Based on Household Living Standards Survey data from 2012 to 2018, the study shows that spending on tobacco leads to poorer average household multidimensional well-being.

When reducing tobacco spending by 1 per cent, the per capita welfare index can increase both among households and the poor. Notably for the poor household group, the welfare index increased by 22.5 per cent.

This result emphasises that reducing tobacco spending not only improves household welfare but also especially benefits low-income groups, where the negative effects of tobacco are most pronounced.

In addition to the impact on household welfare, the Health Economics Society's presentation focused on the economic burden of tobacco on society.

According to research, tobacco is the cause of more than 100,000 deaths each year in Việt Nam, accounting for 15 per cent of total deaths.

Of these, 70 per cent are deaths before age 75. Tobacco is a risk factor for 10 per cent of the disease burden measured in years of life lost due to death before age 75 and years of unhealthy life due to illness. There are more than 30 diseases confirmed to be caused by direct smoking and eight diseases caused by passive smoking.

Among the total number of diseases, there are 16 types of cancer, four cardiovascular diseases, four respiratory diseases and some other diseases such as type 2 diabetes.

By 2022, the total medical costs and lost labour productivity due to tobacco causes VNĐ108 trillion (US$42,548,000), equivalent to 1.14 per cent of GDP.

Compared to the tobacco industry's contribution to the State budget, the fact shows that the negative economic impact of tobacco far exceeds the tax revenue brought by tobacco.

Another perspective is presented by the research team of the Development and Policy Research Centre (DEPOCEN), focusing on the impact of tobacco tax increases on purchasing power.

Although cigarette prices have increased after tax adjustments, research shows that the growth rate of personal income in Việt Nam is faster than the increase in cigarette prices, causing cigarette purchasing power to remain high.

This shows that tax increases have not been as effective as expected in reducing tobacco consumption. From a policy perspective, the study emphasises the need for stronger tax increases and regular adjustments to keep up with economic growth.

In addition to tobacco research, the session also addressed the impact of taxes on sugary drinks. According to Statista’s data, the consumption rate of sugary drinks in Việt Nam has increased significantly, from 47.65 litres/person in 2013 to 70.56 litres/person in 2020.

International evidence has shown a positive association between using sugary drinks with increased health risks such as overweight, obesity, type 2 diabetes, effects on the bone and teeth, and risk of cardiovascular disease metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. Việt Nam is facing a rapid increase in overweight and obesity rates in both children and adults over the past decade.

In children 5-19 years old, this rate increased from 8.5 per cent (2010) to 19 per cent (2020), higher than the average rate of Southeast Asia (17.3 per cent), higher than the rate in low- and middle-income countries of the region (13.4 per cent in Cambodia, 16.6 per cent in Laos, 14.1 per cent in Myanmar, 14.5 per cent in the Philippines, 18.0 per cent in Indonesia).

To solve this situation, the research team proposed applying a tax on sugary drinks to increase retail prices by 20 per cent as recommended by the World Health Organisation to reduce purchasing power and protect public health. 

Transport ministry vows readiness to implement $67-billion North-South high speed railway

After the National Assembly (NA) approved a resolution on the investment policy for the North-South high-speed railway project, the Ministry of Transport affirmed its readiness and utmost determination to commence construction in 2027 and achieve substantial completion by 2035 as per the NA’s resolution.

The resolution was passed on November 30, with 443 out of 454 deputies voting in favour.

The North-South high-speed railway project has a total investment of VNĐ1.7 quadrillion (US$67 billion), making it the largest infrastructure investment in Việt Nam's history. The project is expected to provide a significant economic boost.

The railway will span 1,541 kilometres, connecting Hà Nội and HCM City and passing through 20 provinces and cities.

The entire line will feature a new dual-track system with a 1,435mm gauge, a design speed of 350kph, an axle load capacity of 22.5 tonnes and 23 passenger stations along with five freight stations.

The project will be implemented using public investment, with preparations for a feasibility study (FS) report starting in 2025.

Director of the Railway Project Management Board Vũ Hồng Phương explained that under current legal regulations, once the investment policy is approved, a feasibility study (FS) report is prepared, typically including only the basic design.

Subsequent phases involve technical design, construction drawing design and other detailed designs if necessary.

“For the high-speed railway project, the FS stage will include the preparation of a Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) to support the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor bidding process. This allows the project to move to the next phase immediately after FS approval, potentially shortening procedural timelines by over two years,” Phương said.

However, Phương emphasised that legal guidelines are still needed to regulate the content and requirements for FEED, as this approach is entirely new in Việt Nam.

According to Phạm Hữu Sơn, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Transport Engineering Design Incorporated (TEDI), the project is expected to be implemented in three phases.

The first phase, which lasts between 2025 and 2027, will focus on preparing the feasibility study (FS) and Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) for Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) tender documents.

The second phase for the period of 2027-35 will involve conducting EPC tenders and selecting contractors, negotiating and signing contracts to initiate construction, purchasing vehicles and equipment, and receiving technology transferred.

The final phase will include trial operations, system safety evaluations and transitioning to full commercial operation.

A special mechanism allows the project owner to prepare the FEED design directly in the feasibility study stage, replacing the basic design and shortening procedures by approximately two years.

Sơn noted that each phase of the project will face challenges requiring timely and efficient solutions.

Former Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyễn Ngọc Đông stated that without streamlined procedures, preparing the necessary steps, including procedural approvals, selecting consultants, conducting studies and obtaining higher-level approvals, could take years.

He suggested combining certain processes, such as conducting research and evaluations alongside preparing tender documents, to reduce preparation time.

"Land clearance should begin immediately to ensure site availability when the project starts construction," Đông advised.

As a leading Vietnamese contractor in urban railway projects, Phạm Việt Khoa, chairman of the Board of FECON Corporation, suggested involving international designers and experts in the design and project management stages to ensure quality, progress and cost control.

“These critical stages require the highest standards and must be error-free, as high-speed rail demands exceptional technical and safety precision,” Khoa said.

FECON also proposed that the Government establish a mechanism for direct contractor selection, allowing Vietnamese enterprises to participate in specific project components. This approach could foster long-term domestic capabilities and develop Việt Nam’s railway infrastructure industry, akin to the model China adopted over the past 30 years.

Beyond transportation benefits, Khoa highlighted that the North-South high-speed railway project is expected to be a catalyst for urban development. Major stations could serve as hubs for 'compact city' models, advancing transit-oriented development (TOD) around the railway stations.

Sơn, chairman of the Board of Directors of the TEDI, stressed that unlike typical transportation projects, the North-South high-speed railway is a comprehensive system comprising numerous interconnected components, demanding a high level of synchronisation.

From the early stages, attention must be paid to overall project planning, interface design and system integration, leveraging modern technologies in design and survey work.

"The project should adopt a flexible approach, maximising domestic participation while involving international expertise where necessary. Priority should be given to domestic enterprises for tasks they can effectively undertake," Sơn suggested. 

Key tasks for implementing Tây Nguyên regional planning

Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà has given the green light to the future evolvement and development of the area which constitutes the Việt Nam-Laos-Cambodia triangle.

He recently signed a decision on the agenda implementing Tây Nguyên (Central Highlands) Regional Planning in the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050.

Under the decision, six key task groups include economic structure transformation, infrastructure development, economic corridors development, urban and rural development, resource management and environmental protection and national defence and security.

In agriculture, forestry and fisheries, the planning focuses on developing high-value, ecological and large-scale agriculture associated with concentrated agricultural production areas that apply high-tech solutions suited to the region's natural conditions, concentrating on key crops.

It is necessary to create agricultural hubs linked with economic corridors, develop forestry and forest-based economies, encourage the planting of production forests in suitable areas to provide raw materials for processing plants, promote the cultivation of medicinal plants and non-timber forest products and ensure sustainable development of resource areas for economic benefit while protecting the environment in forest product extraction and processing.

For the industry sector, priority will be given to accelerating structural transformation towards increasing the proportion of processing and manufacturing industries and environmentally friendly, technology-intensive sectors. It will strengthen links with the south central and southeast regions, as well as the Việt Nam-Laos-Cambodia Development Triangle, to expand material supply and product markets.

It needs to develop sustainable industrial zones and promote the establishment of sustainable, specialised hubs for agriculture and forestry processing associated with central urban areas and economic corridors as well as sustainably develop mining, bauxite and aluminium processing industries in Đắk Nông and Lâm Đồng provinces and mechanical, textile, chemical, pharmaceutical, fertiliser and bio-fertiliser industries in the region. It will expand renewable energy industries in line with the national power development plan and natural conditions, especially in Gia Lai and Đắk Lắk provinces.

To develop service industries synergistically with agriculture and industry, the planning focuses on expanding supply and demand markets within and outside the region through regional connection corridors and seaports to international markets and strengthening border trade activities. This will mean infrastructure improvements at key international border gates, such as Bờ Y in Kon Tum Province, Lệ Thanh in Gia Lai Province and Đắk Peur in Đắk Nông Province to enhance trade with Laos and Cambodia.

Eco-tourism and cultural tourism will also be highlighted, combined with preserving and promoting the cultural values and identity of Tây Nguyên ethnic groups.

In infrastructure, the transport network will be enhanced to align with approved transport plans and leverage transport modes’ advantages, ensuring comprehensive and modern connectivity across the region to major ports, domestic and international airports, reducing transportation costs.

Energy infrastructure will be developed with the National Energy Development Plan and a modernised electricity network will be completed. Fuel and gas storage and supply infrastructure according to the National Storage and Supply Infrastructure Plan for 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050 will be carried out.

The Tây Nguyên region will also concentrate on three pillars of digital transformation - government, economy and society, ensuring synchronicity and modernity, in alignment with the Information and Communications Infrastructure Plan for 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050.

Holistic approach needed to improve glass recycling

A holistic approach is key to developing solutions that can drive change in glass recycling in Việt Nam and the ASEAN region, experts suggested.

According to the Glass Packaging Institute, glass is a crucial part of industry, as it makes up the largest proportion of the primary packaging material. The greatest benefit of glass packaging is that it is 100 per cent recyclable and can be recycled endlessly without a loss in its quality or purity of it.

This makes it an ideal candidate for a circular economy, it stressed.

Glass can be made from readily available raw materials such as sand, soda ash, and limestone as well as cullet. Cullet is the term for glass which has been recycled and is ready for the furnace. Cullet can be substituted for up to 95 per cent of the raw materials used to make glass. Through glass recycling, manufacturers benefit through energy savings and a reduction in the consumption of raw materials and carbon emissions, it said.

However, despite these benefits, glass recycling rates in most ASEAN countries remain low compared to other materials and regions, leading to a dependency on glass imports.

A latest report entitled 2024 Sustainability Report in Việt Nam released by the Asia Pacific International Spirits and Wines Alliance (APISWA), which includes a section deep-diving into glass recycling and circularity, revealed that recycling rates in regional countries are estimated to be 14 per cent in Singapore, 10 per cent in Malaysia and 15 per cent in Việt Nam. The rates in EU and the US meanwhile stand at 74 per cent and 33 per cent.

In Việt Nam for example, it added, the lower cost of importing glass cullets from China is primarily driven by the higher cost of domestically recycled glass cullets. The infrastructure for sorting, collecting, and recycling glass bottles in Việt Nam remains largely underdeveloped.

This despite the significant demand from glass manufacturing businesses for recycled glass as a raw material in the region. The determining factor remains low collection rates of glass to be reused into recycled glass content, the report said.

“More can be done to recognise the specific challenges faced by stakeholders across the value chain in Việt Nam — from individual scrap pickers to scrap businesses and glass producers, as well as consumers,” it said.

Bayard Sinnema, commercial director – Asia of glass bottle manufacturer O-I, said: “The glass market in Việt Nam is around 220,000 tonnes, which represents a significant opportunity to build scalable, sustainable infrastructure that could benefit all stakeholders.

"The industry can lead in efforts to educate the glass waste ecosystem on the value of diverting glass from landfills. By showing the opportunities and value in recycling glass, it will be able to attract more investment for building better infrastructure.”

Cognisant of the need to do more to address post-consumer waste, governments in ASEAN member states have also begun introducing regulations on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), requiring manufacturers and importers to contribute to national efforts to increase household recycling rates of materials like PET plastics, aluminum cans, and glass.

While the management of waste post-consumption is the responsibility of government bodies and its related national and local level administrators, EPR schemes extend the responsibility of end-of-life packaging management to producers as well.

Waste collection and treatment responsibilities for manufacturers and importers were first introduced in Việt Nam under the Law on Environment Protection (LEP) in 2005 and 2014. In 2020, the LEP for the first time introduce comprehensive provisions for a EPR scheme. This is supported by the implementation of Circular 02/2022/TT-BTNMT and Decree 08/2022/NĐ-CP. The scope of the LEP includes glass packaging.

With the launching, Việt Nam is among the first countries in Southeast Asia to introduce EPR.

“Along with supporting the Government's efforts in protecting the environment and encouraging recycling in order to foster the growth of Việt Nam's green and circular economies, businesses hope suitable policies will be issued that correspond with the current environment in Việt Nam, motivating manufacturers and recyclers to move toward sustainable development,” shared Chu Thị Vân Anh, vice president, general secretary of the Vietnam Beverage Association (VBA).

Co-operation between parties is needed to have better glass recycling.

Thong Q. Ho, lecturer and research fellow, economy and environment partnership for Southeast Asia (EEPSEA), said: “A single policy is not sufficient for a complex issue, a combination of legal and market-based instruments, as well as working with industry associations to provide public education, known as a behavioral initiative, on glass recycling should be a good option.”

“The EPR scheme is an opportunity for producers to share responsibility with government and society for sustainable development. This involves implementing pilot programmes to assist waste collectors, businesses, and households in lowering the costs of recycling glass or establishing sufficient economic incentives for the glass recycling market. Creating a recycling market for glass waste also contributes to making the glass industry more sustainable by reducing energy consumption and reliance on raw materials,” he said.

In fact, many co-operations have been done across many economic sectors.

For instance, APISWA member companies have invested in solutions that aim to decrease carbon emissions from packaging and encourage circularity and returnability in the supply chain.

In Việt Nam, APISWA also worked with the Economy & Environment Partnership for Southeast Asia (EEPSEA) to study current post-consumer glass waste pathways and value chain. 

Marine workers, fishermen equipped with sea turtle rescue skills

A programme to train fishermen and others on rescuing sea turtles and marine mammals was held on November 13 at the Nui Chua National Park in the southern province of Ninh Thuan.

Organised by the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature in Vietnam (IUCN Vietnam) and the Humane Society International (HSI), the programme attracted the participation of marine conservation managers from a number of provinces and cities, fisheries experts and 30 fishermen.

Le Tran Nguyen Hung, Deputy Director of the Department of Fisheries Surveillance, said that the programme aimed to equip officers working in marine conservation and fisheries management with essential skills in rescuing sea turtles and marine mammals.

After the course, the trainees not only learned rescue skills but also how to become ambassadors for protecting the marine environment, helping spread messages on conservation to the community.

Those who attended the training programme were taught specialised rescue skills, including how to handle emergency situations, care for injured animals and help them return to the wild.

In addition, the training course also introduced ways to collect information on unintentional exploitation of sea turtles and marine mammals, which is crucial to better understanding what conservation and management measures are required.

Bui Thi Thu Hien, Manager of the Marine and Coastal Programme under IUCN Vietnam, said that Nui Chua National Park is a place where great numbers of sea turtles come to nest. The park is ranked second for turtle nesting grounds, after Con Dao National Park in Ba Ria – Vung Tau province.

The park’s management board has actively worked in sea turtle conservation, especially through an annual volunteer programme.

These programmes are considered good opportunities to convey a nationwide message on sea turtle conservation.

According to the Department of Fisheries Surveillance, sea turtles and marine mammals are indispensable to the marine ecosystem.

In Vietnam's waters, five species of sea turtles and about 30 species of marine mammals have been recorded living along coastal areas and offshore islands.

All sea turtle and marine mammal species are listed in the Vietnam Red Book and the IUCN Red List.

Sea turtles belong to group one on the list of endangered, precious and rare species prioritised for protection, issued in the Government’s Decree 64/2019/ND-CP. Marine mammals belong to group one on the list of endangered, precious and rare aquatic species issued in the Government’s Decree 37/2024/ND-CP./.

70-year-old man spends 30 years saving people on the highway

For over 30 years, Nguyễn Ngọc Tuy and his team of volunteer first aiders have helped and saved people on National Highway 5.

Tuy, from Tuấn Việt Commune, Kim Thành District, Hải Dương Province, is the leader of the first aid team for the highway, which sadly experiences frequent crashes.

Despite being in his seventies, Tuy remains strong and active.

Reflecting on his journey, he said that in the late 1980s, his family moved to an area along National Highway 5, where they set up a small beverage stall.

From the stall, Tuy often witnessed traffic accidents in the area and would on some days see two or three incidents.

As an ordinary person without first aid skills, he felt deep sympathy seeing victims lying injured on the road but lacked the skills to help.

“All I could do was call for emergency services and wait for medical personnel to arrive. However, ambulances could not always respond promptly to every situation,” Tuy told baogiaothong.vn.

“The wait time, often referred to as the golden hour for saving lives and reducing injuries, could be critical,” he said.

To make matters worse, some accidents drew bystanders who merely gathered to watch, pointing and gossiping without offering assistance. Some unscrupulous individuals even took advantage of the chaos to steal from victims.

These occurrences left Tuy both upset and heartbroken.

In 1992, Tuy began studying at home and learning basic first aid techniques. Soon after, he started providing first aid to accident victims in his area. From then on, any time he heard about an accident nearby, Tuy would drop whatever he was doing and rush to the scene, day or night.

His efforts did not go unnoticed.

In 1999, the Kim Thành District Red Cross established a first aid station at Tuy’s home and he was selected to attend an official medical training course.

In 2006, the Hải Dương Provincial Red Cross co-ordinated a project to enhance traffic accident first aid skills along National Highway 5 and Tuy was chosen for advanced training as part of this initiative.

Recognising the need to expand the first aid network, in 2008, he recruited five motorbike taxi drivers living near the highway. With time, his efforts grew and he formed a 12-member volunteer first aid team, taking on the role of team leader.

Tuy personally trained the members, ensuring they were equipped with first aid skills, uniforms and assigned territories and shifts to respond to incidents swiftly.

“We volunteer for this work without expecting any rewards. Living near the highway, we cannot stand by when we see accident victims in pain and distress. We feel compelled to help them,” said the 70-year-old.

Nguyễn Văn Muôn, a team member from Tân Hưng Village echoed Tuy’s sentiments.

“Initially, we just helped out whenever accidents happened near our homes. Gradually, we connected with others doing the same work to share experiences,” Muôn said.

“Over time, it became a habit. Day or night, rain or shine, even kilometres away, people now call us whenever there's an accident on the highway,” he said.

For over 30 years, the volunteer first aid team in Tuấn Việt Commune has helped thousands of accident victims on National Highway 5.

“We hope our work becomes less necessary as we dream of a day when traffic accidents no longer occur and everyone travels safe,” Muôn said.

Tuy’s first aid kit contains essential items like splints, gauze and medical bandages.

“These are all tools I purchased myself to assist accident victims. There was a time when my wife and I had to sell 200kg of rice just to buy medical supplies,” Tuy said.

In 2018, due to new requirements that first aid responders hold medical certificates, the team temporarily ceased operations for two years. However, two years later, the Hải Dương Provincial Red Cross re-organised the first aid team and Tuy rejoined.

“I’ll keep doing this work as long as my health allows,” he affirmed.

Beyond his contributions to traffic accident victims, he is also known for his entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to supporting vulnerable groups of society.

In 2005, he founded a vocational training centre specialising in sewing and packaging for agricultural products. The centre employs and trains people with disabilities, including victims of Agent Orange and workplace accidents.

Initially, Tuy trained about a hundred individuals, some of whom still work with him today, while others have found employment elsewhere.

To communicate effectively with trainees who are hearing-impaired, Tuy learned sign language. For those with memory impairments, he provides daily instructions and reminders, understanding their unique challenges.

Currently, Tuy’s workshop employs 33 workers, all of whom have disabilities or come from disadvantaged backgrounds.

He hopes to establish another facility to offer more job opportunities and help these individuals achieve stable livelihoods.

With his contributions to the community over the past 30 years, Tuy has received a certificate of merit from the Central Việt Nam Red Cross Society, a certificate of merit from Hải Dương Province and the KOVA award - Outstanding role models in life society in 2006. 

Vietnam wins big at world’s two large robotics competitions

Vietnamese teams were honoured at two of the world’s largest robotics competitions, including the Global Robotics Games (GRG) and the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) 2024.

The REX-T team of Vietnam won the championship title in the Mobile Robotics 1 category of Global Robotics Games (GRG) 2024 held in Singapore.

Local contestants also brought home a third prize and finished among the Top 10 and Top 20 of the competition.

The Global Robotics Games are a programme by Singapore non-profit Developing Innovative Youth (DIY), providing a platform for students aged six to 10 to showcase their skills and creativity in designing, programming, and operating robots. 

This year the competition draws the participation of 700 contestants from various different teams worldwide such as those from Thailand, India, China, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Indonesia.

Furthermore, Vietnamese students aged eight to 19 won high prizes at the WRO 2024. The GV2-HSRL-01 team, consisting of students from Giang Vo 2 secondary school in Hanoi, ultimately claimed the runner-up title in the Robomission category.

In the Junior category, the HONG BANG 1 and XLR8 teams were named in the Top 3 and Top 8, respectively.

Elsewhere, Vietnamese team GUARDIANS OF EARTH also bagged a silver medal in the Future Innovators category.

The WRO is considered as the biggest STEM and robotics competition for young people aged eight to 19, helping them to develop problem solving, critical thinking, and entrepreneurship skills.

The 2024 edition got underway in Turkey in late November, attracting the participation of 562 teams from 87 countries and territories worldwide. This version saw Vietnam send 14 teams to the event.

Vietnam to send three chess players to World Rapid & Blitz Championships

Grandmasters Le Quang Liem, Le Tuan Minh, and master Banh Gia Huy will represent the country as they compete in the International Chess Federation (FIDE) World Rapid & Blitz Championships 2024, which is scheduled to run from December 26 to December 31 in the United States.

According to the rankings based on Elo, Le Quang Liem is placed 22nd in the men's competition, Le Tuan Minh ranks 112th, and Banh Gia Huy is at 176th position. So far, as many as 190 players have registered to participate in the competition.

The World Rapid & Blitz Championships for men will be played across 13 rounds, whilst the Women’s Championship will be played in 11 rounds, both in the Swiss system.

In 2023, Vietnam didn’t participate in the tournament. Back in 2022, Le Tuan Minh was the nation’s sole representative at the tournament, finishing among the Top 22 of the men's rapid chess event and in the Top 55 in the men's blitz chess event.

One of the most popular and prestigious chess tournaments held by the FIDE, the World Rapid & Blitz Championships will be held in North America for the first time ever. The championship, which attracts the participation of 300 of the best players from around the world, will take place from December 26 to December 31 in New York City.

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